Creative Destruction

(I typed in creative destruction into google images and this is what came back)

I've been doing much thinking lately. The world we live in is nuts! This past week I posed the question to many of my friends and family members, "How did anyone ever get anything done before the internet existed?" Things must've taken forever to get done; banking must've been slow, you had to call someone and write down directions of how to get to a location, letters took days to arrive. No doubt, the internet has revolutionized the way we live and made us all more efficient. 'Creative destruction' as we say.



But the information superhighway isn't without its caveats. Think of the ridiculous amount of personal information about you out there, just waiting to be seen. Just a month ago, some jackal rang up $300 worth of charges on my credit card. I hope you burn in hell if you're reading this. With facebook and myspace accounts, people can see where I am living, what I am doing, see pictures of me and complete strangers can gather all sorts of information about who I am. I find it quite I ironic that I chose my blog as my medium for expressing these thoughts; as a blog is a source to many strangers as to what goes on in this head of mine. Does it ever just scare you that we have become so accessible? At any given moment of time, any person can contact me and find out exactly where I am. And if I don't answer my phone for some reason, heaven forbid someone not know my whereabouts for over an hour, I have to give some explanation as to why I didn't pick up the phone.

The great thing about technology is that in the not so distant future, perhaps no crime will go unpunished. Authorities will have the ability to tap any phone, computer or gadget in order to find and prosecute criminals. However, for the time being, we have to deal with internet theives. Why the authorities can't locate them and prosecute them NOW is beyond me. In my case, Target, you know the address where the theif had his gift cards shipped. Why don't you go ahead and do something about it? I alerted you the day that the charges appeared on my account and you took 7 days to do a damn thing about it.

One day technology will pass us all, and we will be the equivalent of our grandparents and great grandparents, lost in a future of gadgets and technological languages we can hardly interpret. Technology has left many of their skills obsolete and useless in today’s society. People skills have fallen victim to “computer hacking skills.” It’s a viscous cycle that unfortunately most of us will eventually fall victim too.

Oprah

So this one is short.

There is a certain person in my ward who always brings up that Oprah, THE Oprah... is an "anti-Christ." 

Seriously.  This woman in my ward is pissed and trying to warn people.  And sorry to say, she is not mentally disabled, crazy, or in a straight jacket.

She says this is because Oprah has a "Church of Oprah" in which Oprah talks about being positive, staying healthy, making good decisions, and being yourself.  

I just wish that some people would stop judging others and making it so hard for any normal people to feel interested, let alone, not disturbed.

C'mon, she's freaking Oprah.  If our church had "saints" she might be counted.  She's done this world a lot more good than this silly woman has. 

Fortune Telling

So brady and I both woke up groggy on Monday morning, (I think), and we began to remember little bits of our dreams. I was remembering mine as Brady started, and was trying to remind myself to tell him about it.

I got really freaked out when he told me his dream.... and we had the SAME dream. At least most of the important, weird, details were true.

The similarities our dreams shared were that I had a baby... it was our first child and we were so excited.... but oddly enough... it was a baby Pug, like our dogs. Really.

In my dream, I had somehow gotten pregnant by a dog, in his, the baby just came out that way and there was nothing wrong with it.

Things that our dreams did not have in common included the naken Hell's Kitchen chef, being photographed by Brady for a "job." I remember walking by and having to act, "okay" with it, like I do his obsession with football. Goo.

This is all....

"Wow"

So, I remembered a cute story of the beginning of "Brady and Laura."  If you are bitter towards sappy love memoirs, exit screen now... but stay tuned if you like to make fun of Brady. 

First of all, Brady and I dated for almost 3 months before he ever kissed me.  You may think this makes him a wimp, but really I wouldn't let him.  My face was always far, far and away on purpose.  I didn't know if I really liked him yet, and didn't want to lead him on... but wanted to make sure he knew I was still interested so I kept saying "yes" to the dates.

(Note: This is not typical for ladies to really mean this.  They are usually looking for free dinner or don't know how to let you down.  Just because you read this post, don't think that that hot girl you keep asking out who keeps saying yes but doesn't act like she likes you, will marry you someday.  I would hate to encourage that kind of behavior. It is creepy.)

Anyhooters, (that's from my sister), the first time Brady kissed me I had reached a point of, 

"Well, he will kiss me and I will really like it... and like him more... or he will kiss me and be TERRIBLE at it and it will be the biggest turn off and at least I will know to tell him bye-bye."

So it happened, the big smooch, and surprise, surprise... he was REALLY good!!!

(Sorry to siblings, cousins, parents, guy friends, whoever that just got this "gross" piece of information.)

After a moment of the lip-lock Brady pulled away, his eyes still closed and said, quite loudly, 

"WOW."

And went back in for another.

A moment later as I was reflecting on the magical moment, I commented something like, 

"So I was that good of a kisser huh? You had to say 'Wow?' "

And his response was, 

"Huh?"

He had no idea or recollection that he had stated this triumphant elation at all, or out loud.

Sometimes it is nice to reflect times like those, when he made me feel like a super-model.  

(Sometimes, he still does.)

food for thought

First of all, my apologies for no new posts in the past two weeks. School is back in and life is crazy again.

Yesterday as I waited in line to buy my Banquet Tv dinner at Albertson's, I noticed the lady in front of me and all the extravagant delicious groceries she was purchasing. Luscious apples, delectable pears, mangoes, grapes, wonderful cuts of beef, moist pastries of all sorts. As my mouth watered, my mind flashed forward to the future. I envisioned a life where my cuisine doesn't revolve around 'whatever's cheapest' and I may actually have the ability to eat what I'd like. No more budget meat, no more lean cuisine dinners. I may actually one day be able to afford to cook my own chicken, pasta, and delicious vegetables and wrap them into a delicious home cooked meal. No more Sam's choice sugar free apple juice, Dole 100% apple juice here I come. No more Dr. Thunder, Dr. Pepper here I come! Sushi will be more than a once a month all you can eat extravaganza. Ah yes, the future is mine as I won't always be a dead ass broke just married college student!

-by Brady

"Free" Day

There are a few things in life that are unfair, and it is part of life:

Be confident in yourself ... Be humble

Give money to the poor ... Don't give the bum money for his crack

Don't run faster than ye are able ... You can never give enough service

etc., etc.

And finally the two that have been driving me the most crazy lately and I will start with one that needs little discussion: 

Food that isn't good for you makes you feel sick after you eat it.

Brady and I have been trying to stick to the "Body For Life" diet for the last little bit, and it include a "free" day where you can literally eat as much and whatever you want.  7 Big Macs?  Sure.  And super size those please.

Today was one of those days, so of course, we went to the Golden Corral, glorious restaurant of dreams.  Its every dieters dream land, or candy land.

...For a gluttonous hour...

Then the pain beings.  Stomach cramps, grumpy

 mood, bloating, lack of energy, self-hate, a

nd the inevitable terrible rest of the day.  Was it worth it?  Is it worth it?  I'm starting to think not.  Maybe the occasional Snickers Bar, or the Western 6 Dollar Burger from Carl's Junior, but I think it is decided, no more feasts.

The second life contradiction that I face regards those that I call, "the skinnies." 

 You know them too.  They eat whatever they want, have a hard time gaining weight if they are trying to, and this often leads to a lack of interest in their food.

The reason that I am so "chewingly challenged" is because I have a hard time losing weight.  The only way that I can is to stick to a strict 1400 or less calorie intake a day, cardio exercise for 1-2 hours daily, and supplements to put the cherry on the top.

The just don't care, cause take it or leave it, food isn't a dramatic time for them, the skinnies, as it is for us, the chewingly challenged.

The less you care about food, the more control you have over it because it doesn't affect you.

Cruel cruel world.  Cruel cruel Golden Corral.

Continued...

Again I can't sleep, I want to. I don't take naps, I usually don't drink caffeine after 8. I usually watch a good half hour of tv in bed. Tonight I had a softball game that didn't get over till 10, but I was exhausted before and after, then I get into bed and just lay there. I've debated just downing a couple nyquil but the haunting nyquil nightmares I have and grogginess in the morning just aren't worth it to me. Just seems like the more you worry about not sleeping, the worse it gets... Sweet 

Sunday Insomnia

It seems to happen every week, 10 pm rolls around on Sunday night and I'm laying in bed not even tired. I usually watch some tv for a bit, maybe some Iron Chef America or ESPNEWS. I make it through the entire episode and soon the sleep timer shuts the tv off. I lie on my side for a bit and eventually thrash about till I make my way to the other side, keep my eyes pressed tight shut and try not to let my mind think about the long Monday I have ahead of me. I'm sure its a combination of anxiety for the day that awaits me and the fact that I can't get to sleep and am worried about being tired all day only exacerbates the problem. I usually take a nap on Sunday for an hour or two, however yesterday my nap was less than thirty minutes.

 

Last night seemed to be the worst of all. I lasted through 2 sleep timers on the tv and the sleep timer on my ipod, I facebooked for a bit in an attempt to tire myself out and eventually got to sleep around 3 am. I slept through my 6:30 alarm reminding me to go to the gym. I'm not really sure the reason for my Sunday Insomnia but it has plagued me for months, any ideas?

Brace Yourselves... By Laura

My fantastic sister-in-law brought me the greatest present.. and greatest curse ever for my birthday.

The first book of the Twilight series.

Need I say more?  I have been avoiding this series, in fear that I would be obsessed with it, for the last couple years only to find that I have so much to catch up on.

Watch out Harry, Edward is giving you a run for your money.

So... who do you prefer?  

Edward vs. Harry

Another "Forword"

Brady is a heartless daddy.  Anytime our little boy makes a mistake he gets so mad, forgetting his favorite puppy in the whole world, Yuki, was JUST like this at this age.  Maybe even worse.  

Just cut off his manhood and he will be perfect, calm, and a little less like his daddy. Wink wink.

Its funny to see him get so mad, saying the puppy is driving him crazy and he wishes there was any way to make him stop.  

I think the same thing but about the TWO voices I hear that won't stop.

Kaze is a GREAT puppy.  He pretty much trained Yuki to go outside, a miracle!  And he is pretty darn good himself, way better than she was even a month ago at almost a year old.  

The defense rests. 

 

Laura

Nightmare on my street

By Brady

A foreword: Growing up we had dogs and for whatever reason I couldn't have cared less about them or anything that had to do with them. I am as mind blown as the rest of you that I now own not one but two dogs. Laura must possess some sort of power over me because I never in a million years thought I'd own a dog. 

We recently bought a new puppy with the thought that he would keep Yuki company and they could be lovers, though never have pups of their own. We got a pretty good deal on him and when we brought him home Yuki wanted nothing to do with him for about the first five days. He however became enamored with her from the start, he would follow her around everywhere she went. To this day he can't let her out of his sight, he won't sleep unless she's near him. It's quite cute I must admit. She doesn't seem to think much of him however, I don't think she minds his company but she's become very independent. 

Yuki (1 yr old)

We bought Yuki in October of last year and we didn't do as swell job of potty training her as we should've. She didn't like to go outside much and we didn't like taking her out at 4:00 am in the freezing cold, so she did learn to do her business in a potty box, though she was very hit and miss. Having Kaze (Kah-zay) has really helped Yuki grasp the potty training thing. She now does an excellent job at going outside thanks to him. She is the sweetest dog one could imagine, she has become very mellow and is quite the cuddle bug. She never barks and doesn't get herself into much trouble. My one qualm with Yuki is her tendency to run off into the neighbors yards when I take her out, but I'll take that over Kaze's endless problems anyday.

  Kaze (3 months old)

Kaze is an absolute nightmare! For one, he never stops chewing, biting, running, chewing, biting, running, chewing, barking, pissing, humping, fighting, growling. He drives me crazy, you can't for the life of you get him to stop or slow down for one minute. Lets take just now for example, we just got back from taking a walk and going potty, which he did. As I'm sitting here writing this Yuki is laying by my feet being her absolute best; meanwhile Kaze is running, chewing on Laura's wallet, I take it away and he finds the cord to the iron and chews on it. I take that away and he starts chewing on a pen, and somewhere in between he manages to pee on the blanket. If you try to pick him up he squirms and thrashes till you put him down. I try to train him and get him to calm the hell down to no avail. It seems the only place to put him is in the kennel. I give up.... anyone want to buy a 3 month old pug puppy?

Magical Discovery

I, (Laura that is), have recently become quite aware of the wonder that is

AUDIOBOOKS.

I recently, to the great annoyance of my husband, started re-reading the Harry Potter series 

about a month ago, and am currently in the beginning of the 7th book, the Deathly Hallows. 

 As you can imagine, with most of the books being about 500-700 pages, that I have been doing a great deal of this reading, and thus I discovered the inconvenience of lugging a 5 pound book around.

1. I know my purse is big, but it still has no effect on the weight of the book. 

2. Cleaning takes 5 times longer when you only have one hand to do it, and it tends to cramp.

3. When running on a treadmill at the gym, the words are not only completely blurred, but won't stay open, as with the rest of the machines.

4. Driving is mostly illegal to do while reading.

5. I can't imagine voices as cool as the "bloke" that reads the audio books.

I can clean for hours at a time, run to the adventures of Mister Potter, and only have a small iPod to carry with me, and car rides are looked forward to, seriously.

I'd like to bear you my testimony on Audiobooks.  I know that they are true.

Amen.

The Hales FREE Petting Zoo!!!

So, Brady and I have created a petting zoo for the ENTIRE neighborhood and anyone else who walks from far far away to visit these exotic creatures.  You don't need to ask us permission, be under adult supervision, even if you are like 4 years old, and it is completely free.  DOn't even worry about what I need to be doing at the time.

The zoo consists of only two animals.  Yuki and Kaze, our pugs.  We have to let them outside on their little leash things so they will go potty, as we say.

This is when the zoo has the most visitors at the attraction.

I had SIX kids over yesterday while I was trying to get Kaze to poo.  Was there an adult in

 sight?  Of course not, that's just silly.  Four of them spoke mostly Spanish and would not STOP picking up the dogs.

We thought it was annoying enough, and then we met the little devil across the street.  Poor Brady woke up to Kaze's cry and let the puppies out to do their business at about 6:45 AM.  Brady hopped in the shower for work, while I continued to sleep, until about 3 seconds later someone rang our doorbell.  I went to Brady asking if he was expecting someone.  Nope.

Was it the cops?

Was it Santa?

Was is the Cable Company?

Nope. It was little, tiny Maria just ringing our doorbell, (TWICE).

What??!?!?!??!!  Are you kidding me?  

Don't come over, don't ask me questions, don't follow me around and DON'T TOUCH MY DOGS.  

Oh, and don't become like your completely absent parents.

Laura

I Love the 80's 3D

Brady answers first, Laura answers second, if there is no second response, she agrees.

Favorite Movies:

1. Gladiator/Pride and Prejudice

2. Cinderella Man/Harry Potter's

3. The Bourne Series/What Dreams May Come

4. 3:10 to Yuma

5. V For Vendetta/ Moulin Rouge

Comments: Laura realizes that all of her movies are girly, or meant for children under 12 years old.  These movies are not favorites as far as "life changing" goes.

Brady admits he may have a slight man crush on Russell Crowe... or Ben Wade.

Favorite Musical Artists: (We had to extend our list because we like lots of different music.)

1. Jimmy Eat World/Eric Whitacre

2. Thrice/Anything 80's 

3. Blink 182 etc./ Janis Ian

4. Third Eye Blind/ Shiny Toy Guns

5. Receiving End of Sirens etc./ The Dear Hunter

6. Strung Out/ Angels and Airwaves

7. Coheed and Cambria/ Jimmy Eat World

8. Brand New/ Damien Rice

9. Moneen/Straylight Run

10. Death Cab For Cutie/ Franz Liszt

Comments: Laura is all over the place. Brady likes all things present.

Favorite TV Shows:

1. Family Guy

2. Sports Center/ America's Next Top Model

3. The Office/ Iron Chef America

4. Cold Case Files/ Animal Cops Houston

5. Unsolved Mysteries/ The Office

6. Intervention

7. Man Vs. Wild

8. ENTIRE DISCOVERY HEALTH NETWORK

9. To Catch a Predator/ 30 Minute Meals with Rachel Ray

10. Reno 911/ Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee

Comments: Laura loves the food network.  If there was a spot beyond #1, we would have put Family Guy there, because it is 45 points beyond the next show.  We live for it. Sad.

Favorite Books: (Not religious, duh. We love the bible, blah blah.)

1. Confessions of an Economic Hitman/ Harry Potter's

2. Grapes of Wrath (Steinbek)/ Anything Jane Austen/Bronte Sisters

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People/The Sun Also Rises (Hemingway)

4. Freakonomics/Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet)

5. 1984 (Orwell)/ Kahlil Gibran and T.S. Eliot (some fantastic poets)

Comments: Brady hates fiction aka imagination.  Laura LIVES in her imagination... and at Hogwart's.  (You muggles can't see Hogwart's.)

Favorite Childhood Toy

1. Nintendo/ Slip-n-Slide

2. Ninja Turtles/ Skip-It

3. He-man/ Ribbon Dancer

4. GI Joe/ Game Boy 

5. Trampoline

Comments: We grew up at different times. Laura used toys that are STILL cool now. Try to imagine Brady now with his Ninja Turtles.

Favorite School Classes

1. Current Economic Problems/Band

2. History of Rock-n-Roll/ Math 1050

3. Foundations of Business Thought/Music Theory

4. Marxian Economics/Aural Skills

5. History of Latin American Economic Development/Woodwind Practicum

Comments: How did we EVER get married?

Favorite Person:

1. Laura/Brady

2. Adam West

Blame it on bad luck?

After the washer broke two days ago I really sat down to think about all the high ticket items we've owned this year that bit the dust.  I'm starting to wonder if there is some bad luck involved or sheer negligence... I'm leaning toward the latter. Here's the list:

30 Gig Ipod Video: $250

Ipod Mini: $150

Nokia Phone: $100

1998 Honda Accords Transmission: $2,400

1998 Ford Escort Battery, Alternator, Tie rod ends: $600

Apple Ibook G4 Laptop: $1,200

GE washer: $100

Amount of money this year wasted on broken goods $4800

Priceless

Public Notification

Laura HATES Michael Moore and thinks he should rot in some pit in the bottom of a septic tank.

-

laura

Sicko

Is the grass really greener on the other side? I'm really starting to believe so. I just watched SiCKO; It's pretty much life changing. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thinking outside the box.

--by Brady

The Art of Being Poor

First of all, if there are any clever things that anyone has already thought of, please respond, because we are becoming desperate.  

Money has not really gone our way this month, or come our way... or come at all... and we are currently living on PANCAKES.

We frantically searched our barren cupboards to come up empty handed, or at least until we really opened our eyes.  

I was given about 1 billion pounds of pancake mix for my bridal shower.  And the expensive ingredients I must add to this mix you might ask?

WATER.  NEWS FLASH. WATER=FREE.

We said a prayer of thanks for having our eyes opened... to all the pancake mix.

Everything's going to be okay.  Everything's going to be okay.

Laura

PS. I got TONS of syrup and jam with the mixes too, I knew you were thinking a had to buy more... BUT NO!!

PPS. We already clip coupons, don't list that as a suggestion

Road rash please

So I played softball on Saturday for the first time in about two years and despite not playing in so long I did ok. During the course of the game I must've had a complete lapse of judgement however because at one point I decided that it would be a wise idea to slide into second. I am now left with a beautiful oozing raspberry burn just below my right knee. Yeah, being safe at second wasn't really worth leaving my top two layers of epidermis there on the field

-by Brady (I know you might have thought those smooth, tan, shapely legs belonged to Laura)

Living the dream....

If you aren't interested in sports, don't read this post. You will be bored.

Ever since the days of Jon Valentin and Mo Vaughn I've followed the Boston Red Sox. I have no ties to Boston and I'm not sure if I just arbitrarily decided one day that I was a part of Red Sox nation or if seeing a Sawks hat sitting on my Dad's shelf influenced me. What is certain is that I have followed and rooted for the Sox since the early 90's. Up until maybe 4 years ago I took alot of guff for it, "if you are going to just pick a team you have no ties to why don't you at least pick a team that doesn't suck"- was a common statement. There were many long years of watching the Red Sox get dismantled by the Yankees every year.

Then one fall night in 2004 something changed. I remember getting a phone call from a friend razzing me just after the Red Sox had lost a 3rd straight championship series game to the Yankees and were now down 3-0. As you all know, Boston came back to win four straight and went on to win their first world series in 86 years. Quite remarkable. If I'm not mistaken they are the only team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 deficit.

On Monday in Seattle I will fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the Boston Red Sox play in person. While it is a far shot from seeing them play in Fenway I am equally excited. Last year I just missed my opportunity to see the Sox play in Seattle. They played the day before our ceremony in Seattle, and while I heavily considered changing the dates of the wedding, I didn't think it would go over well with the wife and in-laws.

Yesterday, a 20 something cancer survivor pitcher threw a no-hitter for the Red Sox, simply amazing. I was listening to radio this morning and Collin Cowherd was talking about the odds of a seeing a no hitter. He was giving a list of uncommon things that are more likely to happen than a throwing a no-hitter. Catching a foul ball at a baseball game (which I did 2 summers ago, thank you Kenji Johjima) is 6 times more likely to happen than seeing a no-hitter. Only 260 something no-hitters have ever happened in the 150+ years of baseball. There are less than 2 a year, the Red Sox have had 4 pitchers throw no-hitters in the last 7 years. I've already accomplished the foul ball catching; could I be so lucky as to see a no-hitter on Monday? Only in my wildest dreams.

By Brady

Down with the penny

Yesterday I was greeted at the mailbox with what appeared to be a check addressed to me. I was somewhat anxious as I have eagerly awaited the arrival of the $1200 government stimulus check, which will be used in its entirety to pay for a boarding pass to Japan in December. I hurriedly opened the check and as my eyes perused the check I realized the amount to be paid was .31. Yes that is right, a check for thirty one cents. My first reaction was to read the amount paid for postage of this check, which was 34 cents. This reminds me of a time where my Mom received a check from Shopko for a total of 17 cents. I realize the company is lawfully required to send what they owe their customers and are very gracious in doing so; but really is that 31 cents really going to be the difference in us getting by this month?

Which brings me to my next point... Isnt the penny just absolutely useless? In decades past the penny played an important part of the U.S. economy because it had value. According to my grandparents there was a day when you could go see a movie, have popcorn, a drink, and some red vines for a grand total of 27 cents. Inflation has caused the penny to become obsolete. How often does an individual drop a penny on the ground and not even bother to look down to see where it went, let alone bending over to pick it up? People don't even collect pennies anymore with the purpose of trading them in for a dollar; they throw them away! I propose that the penny be abolished and sums are either rounded up or down to the nearest nickel, it will simplify things. In many countries the equivalent of the penny does not exist. On the political docket for this year should be the issue of what to do with the penny. I believe this would be the deciding factor on for whom shall I cast my vote in the election. I'm pissed that Romney did not win the GOP nomination. The guy is incredible, anything he touches turns to gold. I can assure you my vote will not go to Mccain.

"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated."

"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I've should. Ive got Greenspan's book"

"Its not social issues I care about"--John Mccain

Is this the guy you want taking office and pulling us out of this recession?

-written by Brady

The College Experience

I took the time today to look at my friends, or people that would wave to me, and to see what their life was like now-a-days.  As a glossed over these photos of old friends, many of them very straight-laced, I noticed that, with a few exceptions, everyone was getting completely trashed, wasted, and falling all over themselves.

I always thought my college experience was close to average, apart from the whole getting married at 21 thing, and being a band geek thing, but apparently not.

While you are in your most difficult of academic times, I suppose we are to "brighten" our minds by seeing how much beer this girl Mary here can drink.  I know I feel much more prepared for an exam if I have a huge hangover and I know it is impossible to think of having a good time unless the room is spinning.  I like feeling like I'm going to puke and having no control over what I'm saying, especially since I won't remember it, or the test I studied for, the next day.  The only people that will remember it include the rest of the world. No Big. 

Now I'm not saying people are good or bad if they get wasted.  This is totally normal and socially acceptable. I know I have had a good few laughs at people being extra silly. I'm just saying it took until now, this moment, to realize THIS is the norm, I am the abnormal.  Thank goodness.

Wal-mart

Below is a paper I wrote for a Management class this last semester. It was an interesting subject, Should Wal-mart allow its workers to unionize? Post your thoughts on the matter.....

In the last decade Wal-Mart has become the world’s most profitable retail store and private employer. Wal-Mart is led by a corporate vision of giving its customers the lowest price; which has proven to be more than successful over the years. Its executives have perfected the ability to focus on the consumer and cater to their needs in every way imaginable. Encouraging unionism would impair Wal-Mart’s ability to concentrate on its customers, and would jeopardize its relationship with its employees. Wal-Mart should not encourage the formation of local union representation in its stores.   

Wal-Mart is the epitome of success in a market economy; a perfect example of what is attainable under capitalism. For years, Wal-Mart has managed to improve the standard of living throughout the world by providing the lowest costs to their consumers, while at the same time maximizing profits to its shareholders and providing employment for thousands.  Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton created the focus on the consumer years ago, “we'll lower the cost of living for everyone, not just in America, but we'll give the world an opportunity to see what it's like to save and have a better lifestyle, a better life for all. We're proud of what we've accomplished; we've just begun."(Wal-Mart) So why don’t all see Wal-Mart as the savior it has become?

Pro labor union supporters argue that Wal-Mart’s employees are underpaid and their healthcare is too costly for many to afford. They argue that unions would help to improve both wages and benefits by taking collective action against Wal-Mart. The problem with this argument is that employers do not determine wages; they are determined by the simple economics of supply and demand. No firm has the arbitrary ability to influence wages. Employment is a voluntary contract between a buyer and seller.  As  Paul Kirklin of the Mises Institute says,

If an employer does not offer enough money to a potential employee, the potential employee will choose not to work for him. If an employee insists on more money than the employer can find another qualified worker for, the employer will choose not to hire him. An arrangement that is acceptable to both parties is where they must end up in order for them to agree to work together. The level of pay is determined by all the factors that go into supply and demand, just as with all other goods. (Kirklin, 2006)

Labor unions require substantial costs from both employers and employees. Pro-union followers often fail to mention that forming unions will cost its members hard earned money from their own pockets. According to Paula B. Voos, the marginal cost of organizing one new member is between $784-$2,994. (Voos, 1983) While the average annual expenditure per member is about $160 in 2000 dollars. “Approximately 45 percent of the operating expenses of a union go for salaries and wages of its officers and staff, with only 17 percent going toward strike payments and pension benefits.” (Troy, 1975) In essence, only 26 out of 160 dollars per union member each year are going towards the purpose of the union. The solution to higher wages does not lie in organizations, such as unions, that are inefficiently using their funds. The solution lies in the idea that in order to achieve higher wages, individuals must improve their human capital and productivity by continuing education and gaining pertinent industry knowledge.

            Among other costs of unionization are the costs of lost wages during a strike. While the loss in wages incurred by strike may be covered by one’s union dues; not all unions pay lost wages and many of those who do only pay 20-30 percent of one’s original wage. There is also the risk that the worker may never return to work at his position if the employer can replace him with a nonunion worker. Wal-Mart may be forced to downsize or layoff workers as a result of unions demanding increased wages. Wages which are higher than market clearing equilibriums would higher the labor cost for Wal-Mart, which would also result in the loss of jobs for union members or drive up costs to Wal-Mart customers, causing them to lose their competitive advantage over other retail stores.

When joining unions, many workers sacrifice their individualism and flexibility in doing their job. Under unionization, personnel policies are often more strict, which allows workers less freedom in choosing their work schedules or assignments. Also, the lines of communication between employer and union member are often not as open, which creates friction between managers and workers.

In conclusion, Wal-Mart’s success can largely be attained to its focus on giving the lowest price to the customer, while at the same time providing competitive wages and excellent opportunity for its employees. If it were to compromise this philosophy by allowing labor unions to negotiate higher wages and more comprehensive, employer-paid benefits, it would be at the costs of its consumers.  The costs of Wal-Mart encouraging local union representation far outweigh the unlikely benefits that may result of unionization.    Wal-Mart should not encourage the formation of labor unions.

My first band tour

This past weekend I went on my first symphonic band tour. I must admit, I never thought in my entire life that I'd ever be heading out on a symphonic band tour. I spent the week before preparing myself for what I might experience. This was all new to me, to be honest I had spent the previous 23 years before meeting Laura poking fun and scorning these people. (keep in mind, I still scorned and mocked most of them throughout the tour in my head)

                                                                                                                      

               (those are steaks from the bbq we had at hole n the rock)

In my preparation I printed out about 100 pages of reading for my Geography class that I had somehow managed to put off until the last week of the semester. I also packed along: music, my laptop and Dvds so that, at any moment I could throw up my armor and protect myself from any situation I might encounter. My biggest fear initially was that for some freak reason, Laura and I would be forced to share a hotel room with some other band couple, creeped the hell out of me to be honest. Fortunately, that never happened.

So we piled on the tour bus and made our way to Moab, which was wonderful. I had never been there, we stopped and enjoyed some authentic mexican cuisine and were on our way to the thriving metropolis of Monticello. Upon arrival we headed over to Monticello high school for a concert. As Laura prepared for her performance, I wandered my way around the school. The senior class at this school was 30 strong.... from what I could tell the entire population showed up for the concert.

                                                                   

The band performed well (as if I know the difference). My sweet Laura was chosen to conduct a special piece, I was the proud husband with the camera, position myself to get the best angle to get a picture. Making my way to the front of the auditorium, squatting to make sure I had the best picture I could get. 

The next day it was off to Durango, Colorado. I spent the entire 3 hour bus ride pissed because I was duped into not eating before boarding the bus cause I thought we would stop somewhere. Durango is a very interesting place, its main population are college students who attend Ft. Lewis College. The town is small, park city-ish. We got some tacos at Nini's taqueria (yeah, the diet is going great). We later attended another concert at Ft. Lewis, which in my opinion was better than the first. 

On the last day we stopped at hole in the rock and had a bbq. During this time we got to hike the rocks which was lots of fun. I also got to do my share of people watching. I saw many interesting situations while on tour, but by far, the most intriguing was the couple who couldn't go 2 seconds without hugging, kissing, snuggling, making out, causing me to vomit in my mouth. I inquired of Laura as to what their deal was, apparently they dated for like 2 weeks and were engaged and married within a few months, welcome to Utah. Bless their hearts, they've never had anyone to love in their life and now they found someone, hooray! 

I realized quickly that I get severe anxiety when I think about having to live in some small town in the middle of nowhere. I constantly think, where do they get their groceries? No movie theatre? Where do you buy a car? electronics? shoes? Do you have to drive to the nearest big city? So you end up taking these trips where you drive like 400 miles to buy a computer, or car. Or you buy it from the small town and get completely hosed cause there is nowhere else to go.

The Swindlers

I have come to realize today that I am easily swindled by my teachers.  I could have been complaining for days, weeks, months, entire semesters about a certain assignment, a certain teaching style, or a certain entire class.  There are those teachers who admit they are wrong, or admit that the class or assignment is not very well suited for you, the other students, or the purpose of the class... and then... there are the car-sales-men teachers.  The way they talk, insist on certain points so confidently, forcefully, relentlessly, and politely, makes it awkward for you to say no.

And after about 4 minutes of you getting to get about 6 words in edgewise, you leave the room happy and beaming, thinking your concerns have been solved only to realize about fifteen seconds after that teacher has left your sight, that nothing was solved, changed, more understood, or explained.

You've been swindled.

Follow Up

With the popularity 'the budget' has had with those of you who read my blog, I've decided it's actually a great idea. I've thought a few times of actually pitching this idea to Taco Bell, I like to think of this dream of some sort of revelation for me to make something of myself. Think about it, Taco Bell starts referring to the meat as 'budget'. Who wants to be caught dead buying 'budget' meat? "Certainly not me, I'm not poor!" They say, so what do they do? They buy steak, which of course means higher profits for taco bell. You gotta stimulate that demand

the what?

I feel some sort of obligation to explain the reason behind the name of this blog. Well, it all starts somewhere in the neighborhood of a month ago. Laura and I are laying in my bed, dead asleep about 2:30 a.m. on a friday night. I am awoken to Laura saying, "What?" and I realize I'm laughing to myself saying, "the budget."
Just then I remembered what was so funny, in my dream I was best friends with brian and stewie from Family Guy (if that isnt sad enough). I was waiting in the drive thru at taco bell ordering myself a delicious meal, turns out brian is the voice helping me at the drive thru. I order the usual, the #6 with 2 baja gorditas, to which he responds "would that be steak... or the budget?" (budget in this case meaning the mystery meat they refer to as ground beef.) Apparently, in an attempt to stimulate the sale of more steak, they started referring to ground beef as the 'budget' meat. As if going to taco bell isnt 'budget' in every sense of the word in the first place. The odd thing about this situation is that, while I was in the drive thru ordering, there was a studio audience laughter after the punchline, which caused me to laugh out loud in my sleep. As an experiment I went to taco bell last week and ordered the budget, they had no idea what the hell I was talking about.

Sweet Ride

Just got back from test driving an 08 Scion xb, I'm sold on it. If you can get over what many people refer to as, "The Toaster" look and embrace it's edgy look, it is a great car to buy for your hard earned dollar. You can buy a brand new one fully loaded for 17k, thats pretty sweet considering everything else similar costs alot more and doesnt include bells and whistles. The one we test drove was all decked out with GPS and dvd screens in the back of the passenger seats it was like 27k and obviously I cant justify owning either of those two features. I'm just basically writing here for someone to be the devils advocate and tell me things I may not have thought of. We looked at 06 and 05 models but even those used with 50,000 miles were still asking 13000 and I thought I might as well buy a brand new one for only a few grand more, plus I get tires for life and free car washes (i know car washes arent worth thousands but tires could be if they hold up on that promise) maybe I'm naive in dealing with a dealership for the first time but 17,000 didnt seem to steep.

This hog gets 28 miles to the gallon and seems to hold up well. Please someone give me a few things to consider before I pull the trigger.

Into the Wild? Into the Sucks Butt.

beowulf 1.5 hrs
Into the wild 2+ hrs
A total of at least 3.5 hrs I wish I could have back this year, damn you hollywood!

Into the wild...
There are times that movies are recommended to us, and we are more than willing and eager to rent them, watch them, and usually enjoy them to some extent. I have never felt the value of a dollar so much as to when I lost it at red box. About thirty minutes we were both hoping he was going to die within the next five... maybe the movie would have a point by then.

Why do people think it is cool to pretend to be deep? The kind of deep where you talk about it, "make a radical change in your lifestyle (a literal quote from the movie)," and for some reason, smoking weed is always an important part of this ironically hypocritical regime. Walk around in fancy shoes, talking about "parties," four wheelin in the "slammin" outdoors, and ethnic restaurants. Knock religion for being preachy, yet you preach your life of "simplicity" and living free to others. Believe and do what you want, just dont tell me why I should be doing it.

By the end of the movie, when the inevitable finally occurs... all I could say was, "It is about time." Why would you go out into the "wild" to be happy to find an abandoned bus, only to realize happiness is only real when shared.

When you finally are "free" aka "homeless bum" you die of starvation, alone, sad, cold and ugly. Sweet.

I have never really been an outdoorsmen and have never have claimed to be. Something living without electricity or running water, or a toilet doesnt really appeal to me. I dont need to be dropping a deuce in a hand dug hole to connect with my inner self. I believe this evolution to living in houses, using cars, electricity, heat, shoes, money, etc occurred for a reason. I'll just take your word for it supertramp, the grass isn't really greener